On the opening day of COP28, the World Meteorological Organization declared 2023 the hottest year on record in human history.
The two-week COP28 climate change conference has come to an end, and as the largest climate conference in history, food systems transformation has received more attention than in previous years. These include the signing of the UAE Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action by 134 countries, the Declaration on Climate and Health jointly announced by the COP28 presidency and the World Health Organization (WHO), and the release of a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and a team of professionals such as the good Food Institute (GFI), a global think tank for new proteins.
what’s cooking: an assessment of the potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products》
In fact, long before COP28 was officially held, the COP28 catering team confirmed that two-thirds of the food at the summit would be plant-based or vegetarian, and named the menu "1."5 °C aligned (with 1.)5°C consistent)", and some experts described COP28 as the first food-focused COP.
In addition to the fact that two-thirds of the food is reported to be plant-based or vegetarian, there is also a 100% vegetarian food truck park inside the venue. The organizers said, "1.The "5 Menu" will allow delegates to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while keeping their carbon footprint within their "personal carbon budget".
The sustainable potential of plant-based foods
During COP28, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a report on the potential impact of new protein products on the environment, health, society and animal welfare. According to the report, the global food system accounts for about 30% of current anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and is one of the main drivers of climate changeIt also pointed out that the traditional production process of animal products, including carbon emissions, feed, land use and energy-intensive global ** chains, accounts for almost 60% of food-related carbon emissions, and a total of 14% of global emissions5% -20%。
And as a new protein, plant-based foods have huge sustainability potential. In 2022, Xinhuanet, together with the leading brand of plant-based protein food in China, the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Beijing University of Agriculture, jointly edited and released the "2022 China Plant-based Meat Carbon Reduction Insight Report", which carried out carbon measurement and carbon reduction effect derivation of 5 plant-based meat products in Zhouling, and the calculation showed that plant-based meat has a significant carbon reduction effect. According to the report, 5 plant-based meat products reduce emissions by up to 98% compared to similar animal meat products. Oatly, a Swedish oat milk brand, also stressed in its prospectus that a liter of oat milk instead of cow's milk can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, save 79% of land use and 60% of energy consumption.
2022 China Plant-based Meat Carbon Reduction Insight Report
Judging from more intuitive data, the "2022 China Plant-based Meat Carbon Reduction Insight Report" speculates that there are 172 in the country20,000 stores (convenience stores + fast food restaurants + new tea + cafes) calculate, assuming that each store sells 10 meals containing 60g of plant-based meat every day for 365 days, then the total carbon emission reduction that these five plant-based meat products can release will be as high as 335520,000 TCOe. This data is equivalent to 242640,000 ordinary households 1 year heating, 167760,000 cars stood still for a year, 67100 million trees absorb carbon dioxide in a year.
In addition to their significant carbon reduction benefits, plant-based foods can help reduce air and water pollution, biodiversity loss and soil degradation, as well as reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases. As we all know, animal meat products contain a high proportion of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, which in turn are closely related to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, cancer and other diseases. The raw materials of plant-based foods are all derived from natural raw materials or their extracts, taking soy protein as an example, which is currently more commonly used, compared with animal protein, soy protein does not contain cholesterol and has a lower fat content. There are also several studies that have shown that the intake of plant-based alternatives can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and improve health.
Plant-based food opportunities
With the increasing awareness of "proactive health" and "prevention first", plant-based foods that can provide clear health benefits are expected to become the choice of more and more consumers. In the top 10 global food and beverage trends for 2024 recently released by Innova, "Plant-based: Doing as the Locals Live" ranked fourth.
However, how to be selected by consumers in a sustainable way is still a real challenge for plant-based foods. According to Innova Market Insights, 50% of consumers say it's important to be familiar with the cooking and convenience of the product when buying plant-based products. Therefore, it is relatively easier to win consumer acceptance and recognition by transforming foods that are highly accepted and popular into plant-based products.
Taking the pioneer brand of domestic plant-based protein food as an example, through the B2B2C business model, Zhouling has cooperated with more than 100 well-known catering and retail brands so far, and has launched Chinese and Western plant-based protein meals such as hamburgers, sandwiches, bagels, rice balls, dumplings, moon cakes, etc., as well as plant-based protein retail products such as beef cubes and salad sticks, which have high consumer awareness. It is worth mentioning that its products are also very close to the people. In July this year, Zhou Ling once again joined hands with Tex and Luckin to launch a new plant-based meat product, which is almost the same as animal meat products.
Domestic plant protein food pioneer week zero part of the cooperative brand.
In addition to plant-based meat products, in an interview with Xiaoshidai, Wu Yanzi, founder and CEO of Zhouling, also said that Zhouling will extend to more plant-based sub-categories, explore more subdivided application scenarios, and provide consumers with more healthy, delicious and sustainable products.
The theme of this year's COP28 is "Solidarity, Action, Implementation", and to achieve "15 This goal also requires "unity, action, and implementation." For the public, the grand narrative of the distance may be too far away, focusing on the 10% that can be done in daily life, and playing a small role in daily clothing, food, housing and transportation, everyone can become a sustainable minimum unit of action. Plant-based foods offer another healthy and safe dietary option that carries the human expectation for a healthier and more sustainable future.
Some references:
1. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), GFI, etc., "What's Cooking: An Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Selected Novel Alternatives to Conventional Animal Products".
2. Xinhuanet, Zhou Ling, Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing University of Agriculture, "2022 China Plant-based Meat Carbon Reduction Insight Report".